With many of the 46 public and private universities in Indiana making the grade for academic excellence with high rankings from the U.S. News and World Report, it is no surprise that the state attracts college students from every corner of the Midwest and nation to earn their degree. However, a rising number of these students need help affording college education and are becoming increasingly dependent on scholarship or grant opportunities available to them. Luckily, the following are 25 excellent scholarships that are specifically geared towards students who reside in or are attending college in the "Hoosier State."

1. AQHF Indiana Quarter Horse Youth Scholarship Program

Deadline: December 1st

The American Quarter Horse Foundation (AQHF) grants the Indiana Quarter Horse Youth Scholarship program annually to current members of the association who have maintained at least two or more years of membership and residence within the state. In order to be eligible for the $1,000 scholarship, applicants must be actively involved in horse racing, be enrolled in an accredited two or four-year institution, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

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2. Columbus Youth Hockey Bryan Ritz Memorial Fund

Deadline: October 1st

Sponsored by the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County, the Columbus Youth Hockey program awards the Bryan Ritz Memorial Fund scholarship for $2,000 annually to economically disadvantaged children who seek the opportunity to become acquainted with hockey through the house league or continue to develop their competitive hockey skills in a travel team program. For consideration for the award, candidates must be willing to demonstrate their commitment to academics and hockey by signing a code of conduct statement.

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3. Community Foundation Ivy Tech Scholarships

Deadline: April 1st

Each year, the Foundation of Ivy Tech Community College offers enrolled students the opportunity to receive scholarships of varying amounts as financial assistance to achieve a fast track towards an education. Since this is a needs-based scholarship, students are required to complete a FAFSA form as well as submit a letter of reference and a one-page essay describing their academic/career goals.

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4. Edward Rector Scholarship

Deadline: February 1st

Considered the oldest and preeminent merit academic award with a history of providing recognition to more than four thousand graduates since 1919, DePauw University offers the Edward Rector Scholarship to incoming freshmen who are among the top two percent of the first-year applicant pool. Finalists for either a three-quarter or full-tuition scholarship are selected based on superior academic achievement in all course areas, rigor of the curriculum pursued, and strength of standardized test results.

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5. Harry L. and Juanita Varner Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

On an annual basis, Wabash College selects one incoming freshman demonstrating financial need to receive the Harry and Juanita Varner Scholarship. While the scholarship amount varies due to need, the award can be renewable for up to four years to cover partial costs of tuition as long as recipients maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

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6. Heidelberg College Out of State Grant

Deadline: Varies

The Heidelberg College Out of State Grant is awarded annually to incoming first-time freshmen and transfer students who are residents of any state in the United States other than Ohio, including Indiana, and are attending the university on a full-time basis. The $3,000 grant is eligible for renewal for a maximum of four years through a student's education as long as the student is making satisfactory academic progress according to the university's standards.

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Heidelberg College Out of State Grant 310 East Market Street Tiffin, OH 44883 (419) 448-2293[email protected]

7. IAAP Evansville Chapter Scholarship

Deadline: March 16th

The Evansville Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) awards a select number of students from Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, and Gibson counties with a $1,000 scholarship in order to pursue studies within the field of business. Eligible applicants for the award are asked to complete the application, compose a 200-word essay on career aspirations, and schedule an interview with the association.

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8. Indiana Honors Diploma Recognition Award

Deadline: June 15th

Indiana State University offers the Indiana Honors Diploma Recognition Award for $500 to residents who have an academic honors or technical honors diploma type as based on the Indiana Department of Education's diploma requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or better. While the one-time award is guaranteed to all Indiana residents who apply, the university does not provide the funding to international, distance-only, or returning ISU students.

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9. Indiana Minority Teacher/Special Education Services Scholarship

Deadline: October 4th

Created by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to address the critical shortage of African American and Hispanic teachers in the state, the Indiana Minority Teacher/Special Education Services Scholarship is awarded to minority students who are seeking a teaching, special education, occupational therapy, or physical therapy certification. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent Indiana residents, admitted to an eligible institution full-time, and pursuing a course of study for employment at the elementary or secondary level.

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10. Indiana Mortgage Bankers Association Scholarship

Deadline: December 16th

Each year, the Indiana Mortgage Bankers Association (INMBA) offers scholarships from its educational foundation fund to assist residents throughout the state who have an interest in pursuing a career within the mortgage banking industry and wish to obtain a degree in real estate finance from an accredited institution within Indiana. Eligible applicants for the award must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher, demonstrate financial need, show leadership through school or community involvement, and be accepted into a program full-time.

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11. Indiana Nursing Scholarship Fund Program

Deadline: May 14th

Administered by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the Indiana Nursing Scholarship Fund Program aims to encourage qualified individuals to pursue a nursing career within the state to address Indiana's critical shortage of registered nurses to meet the healthcare needs of underserved vulnerable populations. Eligible applicants must be residents of Indiana, hold at least a high school diploma or GED, have been accepted into an accredited nursing program in the state, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.

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12. Indiana Society of Professional Engineers Scholarships

Deadline: May 15th

The Indiana Society of Professional Engineers (ISPE) offers scholarships of $750 or more based on financial need to students who are attending an Indiana educational institution with the goal of earning an ABET-accredited undergraduate degree in engineering. Selection for the renewable award is based upon academic standing, participation in school or community activities, and a personal interview; however, it is required that all applicants or their legal guardians reside within Indiana.

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13. Indiana University at Fort Wayne Alumni Association Scholarship

Deadline: February 1st

The Alumni Relations Association at Indiana University – Purdue University in Fort Wayne offers an annual scholarship for incoming freshmen who have superior academic achievement and are the child or stepchild of an IPFW graduate and a dues payer. Selection for the renewable $1,000 scholarship is based upon high school class rank, SAT scores, financial need demonstrated on FAFSA form, and a 200-word personal statement.

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14. IUPUI International Experience Scholarship

Deadline: October 15th or February 15th

Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis offers an International Experience Scholarship annually with the goal of encouraging undergraduate students to participate in an approved study abroad program to enhance their learning. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, IUPUI undergraduate students must be enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and possess a strong commitment to participating in a credit-bearing study abroad experience.

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15. Ivy Tech – Prosser School of Technology Scholarship Fund

Deadline: Varies

Administered through the Harrison County Community Foundation, the Ivy Tech – Prosser School of Technology Scholarship Fund is offered to residents of Clark, Floyd, Harrison, or Washington counties who have attended the Prosser School of Technology and have met the admissions requirements for enrolling at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana. Since the scholarship requires that students have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher, an official transcript from the Prosser School must be submitted with the application for consideration.

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16. Mark Kniese Scholarship

Deadline: February 1st

In honor of the good works and fullness of Mark Kniese's life, the YMCA at Camp Carson program offers a $4,000 scholarship for a seasonal counselor who demonstrates dedication and rapport with campers. Along with being a caring, responsible, and respectful in the camp environment, recipients of this award must be undergraduate students or high school students planning to attend a post-secondary accredited university.

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17. Media Fellows Grants – Penton Media Scholarships

Deadline: January 15th

DePauw University offers the Media Fellows Grants and Penton Media Scholarships to currently enrolled students who demonstrate academic excellence, potential for success, and outstanding achievement in the Media Fellows program. After completing the required application to receive the grant, eligible students are required to attend the Honors and Fellows interview weekend to be taken into consideration for the funding.

On a yearly basis, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana organization awards a select number of scholarships to exemplary area high school seniors who are committed to community service and academic achievement. Once awarded to outstanding eligible young adults, the scholarships are renewable for up to four years of college contingent upon the students maintaining a specified GPA and performing hours of service.

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19. Roy W. Schroeder Scholarship

Deadline: January 1st

Sponsored by the Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF), the Roy W. Schroeder Scholarship is awarded annually for $2,000 to undergraduate and graduate students within Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, or Indiana who are enrolled in studies leading to a career in the die cast industry. With preference being given to students who are participating in an FEF-approved post-secondary institution, selection for the non-renewable award will be based on prior work experience within the industry and academic standing.

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20. Selma McKrill Brown Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

Each year, Lake City Bank awards the Selma McKrill Brown Scholarship to provide financial assistance to any individual seeking to advance his or her education by attending a properly accredited college, university, business school, vocational/technical school, professional training program, or approved course. Eligible applicants for the scholarship must be U.S. citizens, residents of Kosciusko County in Indiana, high school graduates, and active members in a church. Along with the application, candidates are expected to submit two current letters of recommendation and an official transcript.

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21. Shannon O'Daniel Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: May 15th

The Epilepsy Foundation of Ketuckiana awards a one-year $1,000 scholarship in honor of Shannon O'Daniel each year to college-bound high school seniors who have demonstrated their courage in dealing with epilepsy and seizures. Deserving students for the award must be under a physician's care for a seizure disorder and clearly showcase their dedication to overcoming obstacles of epilepsy to obtain higher education. Applications will only be accepted from candidates in Kentucky as well as Clark, Floyd, or Harrison counties in Indiana.

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22. Valparaiso University Board of Directors Scholarship

Deadline: December 1st

Each year, Valparaiso University grants the renewable Board of Directors Scholarship to outstanding academic achieving incoming freshmen who have been selected from an extremely competitive pool by staff. In order to be eligible for receiving the prestigious scholarship for $23,500 each year, students must be an exceptional fit for the university academically, spiritually and socially, with a strong commitment to leadership and community service.

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23. Verizon Indiana Legislative Intern Scholarship Program

Deadline: October 31st

Verizon Communications Inc. sponsors the Verizon Legislative Internship Scholarship Program each year to award $3,000 to the top intern from both the Democratic and Republican caucuses at the conclusion of a full-time four-month internship with members of the House of Representatives. Selection for the award will be based on work performance, writing proficiency, communication skills, and legislative staff evaluations. The internship program is only open to college juniors and seniors, graduate students, and recent graduates with an interest in political science or government.

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24. Wabash College National Merit Scholarships

Deadline: March 1st

Wabash College offers National Merit scholarships of $2,000 each to incoming freshmen enrolling on a full-time basis who are National Merit Finalists who chose Wabash College as their first choice for higher education. In order to be eligible for this renewable award contingent upon satisfactory academic progression, applicants may not have received awards from any other corporate sponsors and must not have been selected by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

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25. William A. Lee Scholarship

Deadline: March 1st

The Chicago Federation of Labor offers five merit-based and five random-drawing William A. Lee Memorial Scholarship awards in the amount of $2,000 each to students who are graduating from a high school in the Chicago metropolitan area or northwest Indiana. Eligible student candidates or their parents must belong to a union affiliated with the Chicago Federation of Labor to be considered for the funding. Along with the application, students are responsible for submitting their high school transcripts, activities record, certificate of union membership, certificate from high school principal, and list of standardized test scores.

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As the hefty price tag of earning a college education continues to steadily climb with each passing academic year, it is becoming more important now than ever before for college students to search for various forms of funding to cover the high costs. If you are residing or attending school within Indiana, it is highly recommended that you further investigate and apply for these 25 great scholarships in Indiana that are designed specifically for students like you.